REGENT THEATRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 66, 13 August 1947, Page 8

REGENT THEATRE

“COURAGE OF LASSIE”

Friday, Saturday, Monday. Lassie, celebrated dog star, whose new adventure takes place on the Regent screen in Courage of Lassie,” has given a new connotation to the title of “Wonder Dog,” in sharp contrast to Strongheart, Rin-Tin-Tin, Peter the Great and the other canine stars of more than a decade ago. These German shepherd dog actors were made famous by their prodigious feats of strength and stamina, while Lassie has gained renown because of an understanding and personality that border on the human. The picture, “Lassie Come Home” an honest attempt to understand that goes on within a dog’s mind, opened a new era in Hollywood canine films. Man’s interest in his best friend was clearly shown by its success and by the resultant popularity of the four-legged star in the title role. After breaking the opening day records of all but one picture ever to play in New York’s Radio City Music Hall, it went on to chalk up new standards all over the Englishspeaking world. Hollywood’s first collie dog star in history also has become its most travelled canine. For his three pictures, including location trips in the state of Washington for “Courage of Lassie” he has covered an estimated 10,000 miles.